# core vs coy

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### core
*noun · IPA /kɔː/ · frequency rank #1,892*
In general usage, an essential part of a thing surrounded by other essential things.

### coy
*adjective · IPA /kɔɪ/ · frequency rank #25,336*
Bashful, shy, retiring.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-09-03.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/vs/core-vs-coy